Daily Doings Of A Dog Named Dakota, Let The Barking Begin!

The majority of the books I have reviewed are sent to me directly from the publisher, or in some cases from the author themselves. Often an author will read a review I have done, enjoy it and contact me. Or, often an author is referred to me from a friend, of a friend of a friend.

In the case of Heart to Heart, Hand in Paw it was a little different.

I was already familiar with author, Peggy Frezon because I am a follower of her blog, Peggy’s Pet Place. One day. while visiting Peggy’s blog, I was drawn to the cover of today’s book. One look and you will know why:

Yes, that is a Sheltie on the cover, and yes after seeing that I approached Peggy asking if I may review her book. Peggy informed me that the book wasn’t about Shelties at all, regardless, I was intrigued.

I was even more intrigued when upon reading the first few pages I discovered that Peggy had written this book for and about her mother, Luanne.

It is a story about hardship and courage and about how Luanne’s love of animals helped her get through challenges that would break many of us, but somehow through it all Luanne always had hope.

Luanne didn’t just love dogs. She loved chickens, pigs, goats and cats and her experiences with her furry friends will have you smiling and nodding your head in recognition, and yes, you may even shed a tear or two.

One of a number of things that I loved in this book, was when Peggy was relaying a story of a hardship that Luanne was being forced to endure, she would tie the hardship back to an event from Luanne’s childhood, a flash-back if you will, which enables us to understand how her love of animals in her difficult childhood laid the groundwork for the woman of strength that she would become.

From Heart to Heart, Hand in Paw:

COMFORT: When Luanne was a young girl, she knew a thing or two about instability. Her real mother died when she was three. Her second mother died when she was seven, and her father and her third mother divorced. She’d lived with relatives and strangers. But a dog, now that was one thing that remained constant. Or at least in the beginning, the desire for one.

I am certain that you have had struggles in your own life that your love of animals helped to see you through. You will find yourself nodding your head, smiling and even shedding a tear as you relate Luanne’s tale of faith and the healing that SHE received from animals to your own life. You will love this story and appreciate how as Peggy states, “Luanne’s story shares how pets can love, comfort and teach us as we take our own journey through life.”

Luanne’s arduous journey will remind you, as I paraphrase what Peggy so perfectly stated: tobe grateful for the roof over your head, the pets under your roof and for the healing bond that exists between humans and animals.

LATE BREAKING NEWS FROM PEGGY FREZON!! “As a special bonus, If anyone here buys the book, I’d be happy to send you a signed book plate and bookmark. Just leave me a DM on twitter (@peggyfrezon) or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PeggyFrezonBooks or email peggyfrezon (at) gmail (dot) com. Be sure to say you found me through Dakota’s Den!”

I really want to check out that book. I truly believe in the healing power of animals…I don’t know why they are so good for us, but judging from the way animals have been treated by humans thru the centuries, mostly poorly, without care or thought except financial gain, cruel entertainment, and unthinking unsustainable harvesting for food, fur and pure meanness: judging by that, we don’t deserve what they give us, and it is a mystery to me why they can forgive so easily, especially dogs. Perhaps they have a more comprehensive and instinctive view of the wholeness of the Universe than we, with our great brains,can ever have, except in rare spiritually insightful moments and …yeah, after death.

Hi Ann! I am hoping that you do. I want to thank you for your most sensitive comment. I think that dogs AND cats have an amazing power of forgiveness. I think that many of us who love animals DO appreciate all that they give to us but they are certainly, in my eyes, the “superior” beings. Love, “Mom”

Oh, wow, what a wonderful treat to see your post today. Thank you for the very very kind review. I’m so glad you liked the book….even though there was no sheltie! As a special bonus, If anyone here buys the book, I’d be happy to send you a signed book plate and bookmark. Just leave me a DM on twitter (@peggyfrezon) or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PeggyFrezonBooks or email peggyfrezon (at) gmail (dot) com. Be sure to say you found me through Dakota’s Den! Best, Peggy

Hi Peggy!!! You are most welcome!! I LOVED the book, it touched me more than you know. There was so much I could have written in the book about how it touched my own life but I didn’t want to write a BOOK on my blog! lol. Thank you for your wonderful offer for my readers!! Love, “Mom”

I just won a book from Zee and Zoey so will have to get this one after, that you little big guy Dakota…peeEss I voted for ya in that costume contest! there are so many contests I can’t remember WHO is running that one, but I thought you silly nose and all our floofy neck furrs made you look a little like Cousin It from the Adams Family! Play bows, Savvy

Hi Savannah! Congrats on your win from Zee & Zoey! Yeah…we don’t do give-aways on books that we receive that were signed by the author (like this one) Mom keeps the signed books but often gives the unsigned ones away or if they offer a give-away then Mom will do one. Awww that was sooooooo sweet of you to vote for me! I bet no one else did cause Mom does some awfully lame stuff!!!! Love ya Savannah! Barks and licks and love, Dakota